The abbey stands in the village of New Abbey,
about 7 miles south of Dumfries.
about 7 miles south of Dumfries.
The abbey build by one person, for the love of another.
Founded in 1273 by Lady Devorgilla of Galloway in memory of her late husband, John Balliol.
Upon her own death in 1289 her body was laid to rest before the high
alter and her husbands embalmed heart was placed beside her.
The monks chose the name of Sweetheart , or Dulce Cor for their abbey in her memory.
The abbey was established as a daughter house of the Cistercian abbey of Dundrennan Abbey, near Kirkcudbright.
Although set in a tranquil part of the country, this become less so
in the fourteenth century; Edward I of England
, 'Hammer of the Scots', stayed there in August 1300 on his
return from invading Galloway.
Later in the century the monastery
came under the patronage of Archibald 'the
Grim', third Earl of Douglas, the buider of the foreboding
Threave Castle
, near Castle Douglas.
